Chambray is the fabric for summer time.
Lightweight and breathable, it gives the look of denim without being so bulky –
something you definitely want to avoid in the summertime. I’ve gathered a few
options that’ll introduce the greatness that is chambray into your wardrobe,
piece by piece.

You can pair these pieces the way you would
your usual denim – go simple and casual with a simple pair of pants, my
favourite would be a pair of pixies. Splurge on these fromJ Crew, but for a cheaper (and just as good) alternative, try thesefrom Old Navy. The Old Navy ones go up to a size 20, so they’re a great plus size
alternative too.

For some more plus size options, there are these shorts and thissleeveless top, both from One Stop Plus. The top has a fun floral pattern on the back panel, so that makes for
a perfect pairing with those pixies from earlier. Here’s a greatshirt option from the Gap that
goes up to an XXL.

Sunday, 23 March 2014

NOW CLOSED.... Normal service will resume shortlyGiveaway! Giveaway! Giveaway! God, I'm good to you people!

Recently I was contacted about a great big giveaway with Simply Bridal, needless to say I jumped at the chance, hell, everyone loves a freebie, and if I can be the one to give you this little freebie then that brightens up my little day too!So as you would expect, given the name, this online retailer does in fact sell wedding dresses, but oh no no no, they don't stop there, they also do other beautiful dresses, some of which I now wish I had in my own wardrobe! You can have a little looksie at everything they offer by visiting their website HERE.However, the giveaway today is for you, the very lovely, Fragile Bird reader, to get your hands on a beautiful accessory that you can use to give a little bit of extra sparkle to you outfit. I've gone for the kindest offer possible and am allowing you to pick whatever it is that you heart desires, here are just some examples of what you could be receiving:

Visit Simply Bridal and tell me which accessory you would pick, you can do so by clicking HERE(Please note that the giveaway excludes jewelry by May Yeung).

Follow my blog on either Bloglovin' or GFC, the choice is yours.

Follow me on twitter (@AFragileBird).

Leave a comment below stating your name, blog, email and which accessory you would pick.

This competition is open internationally!

And that my friends is it, easy peasy ey, no fancy rafflecopter's or anything else, just a good old fashioned comment.

The competition will be open for one week, and will close on Sunday 30th, so get entering NOW!! A winner will be chosen by myself, and contacted within 4 days of the competition closing, whereby they will be asked to state what item they would like.

This month's wishlist is pretty heavily holiday influenced as I think you can see, but lets face it, summer is coming soon (yeyyyyyy), and we will need to start breaking out those wee white little legs... well mine are white, daz white...

Tuesday, 18 March 2014

It would be pretty impossible for some people to take all their makeup away with them on holiday, I've seen some bloggers with some pretty impressive collections! Personally I don't really have all that much makeup, I tend to only use what I buy and then replace it maybe with a different brand when it wears out, unless of course it's like a miracle product, which I will just keep on buying. However, even though my makeup collection is pretty puny I do think it's important to travel light on the old makeup front when going on holiday.To me going on holiday means getting away from it all, leaving your same old boring routine behind for a week or two, and this includes makeup. Unlike some I really don't have the best of skin, and right now it's not looking it's best, it's like it knows I plan on going bare faced and its determined to make me look hideous, with mothers and children running away from me and cowering in fear, crying out 'what is that, what is that on her face". Admittedly I may be taking that a bit too far there, , but yes, my skin is looking pretty crappy right now.Despite all this, I do think that when away and enjoying the sunshine I certainly don't want to be wandering about or lying back in the sun with my makeup literally sweating off me, a face melting look is not a good one! So, like I said, I try and travel light with makeup, and this time around this is what I'm packing.Helen's holiday makeup essentials:

By Day

I will most definitely be keeping to just these two products in the day, unless of course my spots really are annoying me that much, in which case I'll use a touch of concealer.

As I wont be wearing any powder I wanted a tinted moisuriser, which proved harder to find than I first thought as now it's all about BB cream, which can look a little too much like you have foundation on. Instead I found this little beauty, which shimmers just lovely on your skin. Also, you need to make sure that whatever moisuriser your using it's got sun protection in!

Once again, loving the Elf and their SPF lip balm which is just perfect, and the colour is gorgeous! By NightI think it's important to keep it pretty simple in the night too, very light makeup with maybe a touch of colour on the lip?

Like I said, I'm keeping it light, hell, I'm on holiday, if I really do look that bad then who cares, I'll never see these people again anyway! Although I may have slipped in one or two extra products... just as a precaution!I'll be sure to give all these products a review when I get back!

Sunday, 16 March 2014

"As dawn breaks over the Pont Neuf, and the cobbled alleyways of Paris come to life, Anna Trent is already awake and at work; mixing and stirring the finest, smoothest, richest chocolate; made entirely by hand, it is sold to the grandes dames of Paris.

It's a huge shift from the chocolate factory she worked in at home in the north of England. But when an accident changed everything, Anna was thrown back in touch with her French teacher, Claire, who offered her the chance of a lifetime - to work in Paris with her former sweetheart, Thierry, a master chocolatier.

With old wounds about to be uncovered and healed, Anna is set to discover more about real chocolate - and herself - than she ever dreamed."

It's no secret that I love Jenny Colgan, other than one book and her forth coming new one, I have read everything that she has to offer. Every book has got that lovely summery happy vibe that just makes me feel all 'ahhhh' inside, they are most definitely the best way to cheer you up if your feeling a bit blue.I have to say that for me, this is the best book of hers I have read, I am absolutely in love with it, it makes me feel all warm and tingly inside. Now, maybe because I will soon be travelling to Paris for a week, or maybe it's just because this is a damn good story, or most probably, it's a bit of both; but this story properly struck a chord with me and I found myself unable to put it down.Anna Trent is you avergae girl, who looses two of her toes (you need to read the book to find out how), and as a result of meeting her old french teacher in hospital is given the opportunity to travel to and work in Paris. As this is a Jenny Colgan book, there is naturally going to be a romance, but this book has many more layers to it than just this. Every element of this book is beautifully crafted, all the little details are there to make you love every single one of the characters; every one of them is on their own journey and you just really want to be there with them all every step of the way.I cannot give this book and higher praise, it really is amazing, and truely does tick every box for me, thank you Miss Jenny Colgan, you are quite frankly totally amaze balls!Oh and as an extra bonus to this beautiful book it also comes with a load of delicious recipes in the back. I'm no master chef, so I thought I would start off with the easiest of all the recipes, chocolate rice crispy cakes. Here is the proof I made them, I really do think that I could go pro and become a master-baker (thats baker!! Ooh err! ... I swear I have the sense of humour of a 14 year old boy).